Collapsible traffic barricade

ABSTRACT

An easily collapsible guardrail to separate opposing streams of traffic that includes specialized buffer blocks having chambers with two hollow interiors and with the interiors having a particular shape that promotes the movement of energy in a collapsing motion that allows the colliding vehicles to remain closer to the point of impact, minimizing any bouncing back into the moving stream of traffic. The specialized blocks are mounted to a post at two positions using staggered positioning of bolts, thereby removing the prior art single bolt that has been the cause of a lot of property damage and personal injury upon collision. The unique, staggered positioning of the bolts allows for directional movement of the vehicle away from the flow of traffic. Optionally, a specialized post can also be used that also minimizes the effects of a crash. The post is made of a rubber material that acts as a shock absorber and/or insulator. Additionally, the post can include slight relief areas that are incorporated therein that allow more flexible movement upon impact to absorb the harmful impact of a collision and help direct the forces, and thereby the vehicle, downward.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The field of this invention relates generally to the field of barricadeslocated between a stream of traffic and a traffic hazard on the opposingside of said barricades, and specifically to a barricade that iscollapsible that minimizes harm to property and life.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Typically, barricades are erected on roadways to prevent a stream oftraffic from colliding with a road hazard, which is very often anopposing flow of traffic on the opposite side of the barricade. Thesebarricades principally seek to prevent traffic accidents, whichaccording to the Federal Highway Administration number over six millionannually, resulting in over three and half million injuries, over fortythousand fatalities and uncalculated values in property loss due todamage incurred in such accidents. The primary objective of thebarricade is to prevent traffic from leaving the designated safe areaand/or direction and moving into a hazardous area.

Conventional barricades on highways are designed to include a post, ak-rail, and one or two blocks positioned between the k-rail and thepost. In some cases, plastics and single compound rubber materials areused to fabricate the blocks and/or the post. The k-rail is secured tothe wood, plastic or rubber blocks which are then secured to the postthrough long metal thread stock or bolts. This conventional constructionhas been in use for years and has been somewhat successful in preventingtraffic from diverting from its safe path. However, when collisions withthe guard rails do occur, there is often considerable damage to thevehicle and/or passengers.

One source of damage is the fact that the vehicles often times merelybounce off the guard rail back into moving traffic, causing further acollision with another moving vehicle, albeit one that is traveling inthe same direction is the car that hit the guard rail initially. Anothersource of damage comes from the long metal thread stock that secures thek-rail to the post and is secured in place through the wood blocks.Conventional design at impact has a slight suppression action afterimpact when the k-rail collapses. However, once the k-rail collapses,there remains the steel rods and hard wood. Occasionally, these designscan slow an impact, but the design has no directional objective andoften times merely throws the driver and the vehicle back into traffic.

There exists a need for a system that will absorb a large amount of theimpact of a crashing vehicle wherein the guard rail not only collapsesbut also moves the vehicle in a direction away from the flow of traffic.Furthermore, the system should minimize exposure of vehicles and personsto the long metal thread stock found in conventional systems.

Through the instant invention and the use of more shock absorbentmaterials as well as utilizing a design that creates a less destructiveend to an unfortunate accident, it is the objective of the instantinvention that the barricade buffers the impact through materials andunique air chamber designs in the barricade that collapse and direct themass of the crashing vehicle downward thereby slowing the vehiclequicker, saving lives and minimizing damage to property.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The basic embodiment of the present invention teaches a method forminimizing property damage and personal injury when a moving vehiclehits a barrier positioned between opposing streams of traffic, thebarrier comprising a k-rail; at least one post, the post having a frontside facing a first stream of traffic and a back side facing a secondstream of traffic which is traveling in the opposite direction from thefirst stream of traffic; a first buffer block attached to the front sideof the post and attached to the k-rail, the buffer block furthercomprising a peripheral frame, the peripheral frame having a modifiedblock shape and further comprising a top portion that is substantiallyparallel to the road; a front portion that is substantiallyperpendicular to the road and which faces the first stream of traffic; aback portion that is substantially perpendicular to the road and that ispositioned against the post; a bottom portion that is substantiallyparallel to the road; a middle portion that is substantially parallel tothe road and when combined with the top portion, the front portion, theback portion and the bottom portion defines a first hollow chamber thatsits atop a second hollow chamber, the chambers being separated by themiddle portion; one or more abutting portions that extend beyond theplane of the front portion and into the direction of the first stream oftraffic; means for attaching the back portion to the post; and means forattaching the front portion to the k-rail.

The above embodiment can be further modified by defining that there is asecond buffer block is attached to the back side of the post andattached to a second k-rail, the second buffer block further comprisinga peripheral frame, the peripheral frame having a modified block shapeand further comprising a top portion that is substantially parallel tothe road; a front portion that is substantially perpendicular to theroad and which faces said second stream of traffic; a back portion thatis substantially perpendicular to the road and that is positionedagainst the post; a bottom portion that is substantially parallel to theroad; a middle portion that is substantially parallel to the road andwhen combined with the top portion, the front portion, the back portionand the bottom portion defines a first hollow chamber that sits atop asecond hollow chamber, the chambers being separated by the middleportion; one or more abutting portions that extend beyond the plane ofthe front portion and into the direction of the second stream oftraffic; means for attaching the back portion to the post; and means forattaching the front portion to the k-rail.

The above embodiment can be further modified by defining that the postis made of multiple compound rubber.

The above embodiment can be further modified by defining that the postis made of recycled tires.

The above embodiment can be further modified by defining that the posthas a metal core.

The above embodiment can be further modified by defining that the posthas relief areas carved out of the front side facing the first stream oftraffic and corresponding relief areas carved out of the back sidefacing the second stream of traffic wherein the relief areas furthercomprise a bottom portion; and one or more sidewalls.

The above embodiment can be further modified by defining that theperipheral frame of the first buffer block is made of multiple compoundrubber.

The above embodiment can be further modified by defining that theperipheral frame of the first buffer block is made of recycled tires.

The above embodiment can be further modified by defining that theperipheral frame of said second buffer block is made of multiplecompound rubber.

The above embodiment can be further modified by defining that theperipheral frame of said second buffer block is made of recycled tires.

The above embodiment can be further modified by defining that the meansfor attaching the back portion of the first buffer block to the post isa bolt that fits through a hole in the back portion of the buffer blockand is attached to the post.

The above embodiment can be further modified by defining that the meansfor attaching the back portion of the second buffer block to the post isa bolt that fits through a hole in the back portion of the second bufferblock and is attached to the post.

The above embodiment can be further modified by defining that the meansfor attaching the back portion of the second buffer block to the post isa bolt that fits through a hole in the back portion of the second bufferblock, is affixed through the post and then fits through a hole in theback portion of the first buffer block.

The above embodiment can be further modified by defining that the meansfor attaching the front portion to the k-rail is a second bolt that ispositioned through a hole in the front portion of the first buffer blockabove the middle portion of the peripheral frame connecting the frontportion of the first buffer block to the top hollow chamber and a thirdbolt that is positioned through a hole in the front of the first bufferblock below the middle portion of the peripheral frame connecting thefront portion of the first buffer block to the bottom hollow chamber.

The above embodiment can be further modified by defining that the meansfor attaching the front portion to the k-rail is a fourth bolt that ispositioned through a hole in the front portion of the second bufferblock above the middle portion of the peripheral frame connecting thefront portion of the second buffer block to the top hollow chamber and afifth bolt that is positioned through a hole in the front of the secondbuffer block below the middle portion of the peripheral frame connectingthe front of the second buffer block to the bottom hollow chamber.

The above embodiments can all be further modified by defining that theholes through which bolts are placed are reinforced with steel sleeves.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the present invention, reference is to bemade to the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood that thepresent invention is not limited to the precise arrangement shown in thedrawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the prior art.

FIG. 2 is taken along the line 2-2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view, similar to FIG. 2, but for the instantinvention using a retro-fit to the existing post.

FIG. 4 is a close-up view of the upper-left hand portion as seen in FIG.3.

FIG. 5 is a side view of an alternate embodiment of the invention withthe specialized post for increased efficiency.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Turning to the drawings, the preferred embodiment is illustrated anddescribed by reference characters that denote similar elementsthroughout the several views of the instant invention.

The prior art system 10 is shown in FIGS. 1-2. Typically, a series ofposts 11 are placed in the ground in a relatively uniform spaced apartmanner. Bolts 12 connect the k-rail 13 to buffer blocks 14 and extendall the way through the k-rail 13, the buffer block 14 on one side, thepost 11, the buffer block on the opposing side 15 and the k-rail 16 onthe opposing side. The bolts 12 are held in place by conventional nuts17.

In the instant invention, shown in FIG. 3, one embodiment calls for theretrofitting of the new buffer blocks 26 to the existing posts 11 of theprior art. In this retrofit, the holes 28, 29 created by the bolts 12 inthe prior art can receive shorter bolts 30, 31 that attach only to theinterior wall 32 of the improved buffer blocks 26. The top bolt 30 isheld in place with conventional nuts 33. The bottom bolts 31 are lagbolts and have no nuts. The buffer blocks 26 are held in place to thek-rail 13 through bolts 35 that are positioned in a staggered positionfrom the top bolts 30, 31 that secure the blocks 26 to the post 11.These bolts 35 are held in place by conventional nuts 36.

An optional, specialized post is depicted in FIG. 5 that can be usedinstead of retrofitting the system to existing prior art posts 11. Theguard rail post 18 is made from a hard rubber rather than wood. Thisgives the post 18 more flexibility, which absorbs impact shock moreeffectively than wood. Slight relief areas 19 can be incorporated intothe post 18 that will allow more movement to take the harmful impact ofa collision and help direct the forces, and thereby the vehicle,downward. Also, an optional metal center 27 can be incorporated into thepost 18 for added strength.

As can also be seen in FIG. 5, the design of the buffer block 26 istwo-sided, i.e., there is one on either side of the post 18. In thisembodiment, there are two bolts 30, 43 that go entirely through the post18. The bolts 30, 43 are secured with conventional nuts 33, 44 and heldtightly in place with washers 45, 46. Rather than using bolts of twodifferent sizes as seen in the retrofit design shown in FIG. 3, theembodiment in FIG. 5 using the modified post 18 can use bolts 30, 44 ofthe same size that go entirely through the post 18. Bolts 35 securingthe k-rail 13 to the buffer block 26 would still be staggered from thebolts 30, 44 that go through the post 18 and be placed in steel sleeves39, 41 and holes created therein 37, 38 that are embedded in the bufferblock 26 as seen in FIG. 5. The post bolts 30, 43 connecting the bufferblock 26 to the post 18 are also housed in steel sleeves 47, 48.

The barricade design 20 of the instant invention and the specializedbuffer block 26 is seen up close in FIG. 4. The buffer block 26incorporates special offset impact buffer chambers 21, 22 that softenthe impact of a collision and creates downward force to control and slowdown an out of control vehicle. Through the use of this system 20,personal injury and property damage is reduced. Multiple compound rubberis used, rather than wood or single composition rubber. Furthermore, theouter portion of the system in the form of protrusions 23 that extendbeyond the plane of the buffer block 26 and toward the traffic streambecomes the point that is first hit by a colliding vehicle. The bufferblock 26 is formed of a special shape that incorporates air bufferchambers 21, 22 that allow for flexibility in the system.

Solid threaded steel stock is eliminated to reduce further impact to thevehicle and passengers in the case of an accident. Typically withconventional systems, impact with solid threaded steel stock will causedestruction to whatever it contacts. By removing this hazard, a saferand less destructive environment exists in the case of an accident.

The unique, staggered positioning of the bolts 30, 31, 35 allowsabsorption of deadly force. Impact is reduced by the staggered placementof the bolts 30, 31, 35 (seen in FIG. 3) also allows for directionalmovement of the vehicle away from the flow of traffic. Since the post ismade of rubber, it acts as a shock absorber and/or an insulator.Typically, in prior art systems, during impact, destructive shock iscreated, generating from the vehicle and moving to the wood post. Onlysmall amounts of shock are absorbed. The remaining force is then sentback to the vehicle and its passengers. The instant invention 20eliminates much of the destructive shock found in conventional systemsby preventing the vehicle from bouncing back into moving traffic.

FIG. 4 shows one of the buffer blocks 26 in detail. It is to beunderstood that the block 26 is used on either side of whichever post11, 18 that is used for protection on both sides of the streams ofmoving traffic. The buffer block 26 has a bolt-shaped hole 28 on theupper portion of the portion of the block 26 that is closest to the post18 for the placement therein of a bolt. The hole 28 is strengthened by asteel sleeve 40. Further down the block 26 on the interior portion 32 ofthe buffer block 26 closest to the post 18 where the lower chamber 22 islocated, there is a second bolt-shaped hole 29 for the placement thereinof a bolt and another steel sleeve 42 for added strength.

Similarly, on the portion 34 of the buffer block 26 attached to thek-rail 13 are two bolt-shaped holes 37, 38 for the placement therein ofbolts. Each of these bolt holes 37, 38 is also protected by a steelsleeve 39, 41 for added durability.

The system can be made in a variety of sizes to accommodate anysituation wherein traffic needs to be kept from a hazard. Furthermore,the materials used to create the buffer blocks 26 can be made fromrecycled tires, thereby reducing the costs in dollars as well asenvironmental impact. The nature of the material used will allow thebuffer blocks 26 to return to their original shape after some accidents,so the impact buffer chambers 26 will not have to be replaced afterimpact in a significant number of cases. This holds true for the post 18as well. The metal k-rail 13 will have to be replaced after a collision,but the savings on replacement of the wooden portions will beconsiderable.

With regard to the design of the two chambers 21, 22 on each bufferblock 26 segment, the design and location of the lower chamber 22 isoffset further back toward the post 18 from the upper chamber 21. Thelower chamber 22 also has a larger open area for more movement. Thisdesign will create a faster breakdown than the top chamber 21, creatinga downward force that leaves the top chamber 21 relatively rigid in itsoriginal shape for structural support.

The front side of the system, i.e., the traffic side, has a uniquedesign that is not flat, like current conventional systems. The higharea on top 23 of the buffer block 26 provides structural strength aswell as promoting downward movement. This design also helps protectmounting bolts 35 from contacting vehicles or persons on hard contactwhen the metal k-rail 13 collapses.

The new design of the safety block 26 that attaches the k-rail 13 to thepost 18 can be used with present wooden posts 11. However, it isdesirable for optimal results to utilize the new design post 18described herein. The new design safety block 26 fastens to the k-rails13 using conventional nuts, bolts and washers.

The discussion included in this patent is intended to serve as a basicdescription. The reader should be aware that the specific discussion maynot explicitly describe all embodiments possible and alternatives areimplicit. Also, this discussion may not fully explain the generic natureof the invention and may not explicitly show how each feature or elementcan actually be representative or equivalent elements. Again, these areimplicitly included in this disclosure. Where the invention is describedin device-oriented terminology, each element of the device implicitlyperforms a function. It should also be understood that a variety ofchanges may be made without departing from the essence of the invention.Such changes are also implicitly included in the description. Thesechanges still fall within the scope of this invention.

Further, each of the various elements of the invention and claims mayalso be achieved in a variety of manners. This disclosure should beunderstood to encompass each such variation, be it a variation of anyapparatus embodiment, a method embodiment, or even merely a variation ofany element of these. Particularly, it should be understood that as thedisclosure relates to elements of the invention, the words for eachelement may be expressed by equivalent apparatus terms even if only thefunction or result is the same. Such equivalent, broader, or even moregeneric terms should be considered to be encompassed in the descriptionof each element or action. Such terms can be substituted where desiredto make explicit the implicitly broad coverage to which this inventionis entitled. It should be understood that all actions may be expressedas a means for taking that action or as an element which causes thataction. Similarly, each physical element disclosed should be understoodto encompass a disclosure of the action which that physical elementfacilitates. Such changes and alternative terms are to be understood tobe explicitly included in the description.

1. A method for minimizing property damage and personal injury when a moving vehicle hits a barrier positioned between opposing streams of traffic, said barrier comprising a k-rail; a post, said post having-a front side facing a first stream of traffic and a back side facing a second stream of traffic which is traveling in the opposite direction from said first stream of traffic; a first buffer block attached to said front side of said post and attached to said k-rail, said buffer block further comprising a peripheral frame, said peripheral frame having a modified block shape and further comprising a top portion that is substantially parallel to the road; a front portion that is substantially perpendicular to the road and which faces said first stream of traffic; a back portion that is substantially perpendicular to the road and that is positioned against said post; a bottom portion that is substantially parallel to the road; a middle portion that is substantially parallel to the road and when combined with said top portion, said front portion, said back portion and said bottom portion defines a first hollow chamber that sits atop a second hollow chamber, said chambers being separated by said middle portion; one or more abutting portions that extend beyond the plane of said front portion and into the direction of said first stream of traffic; means for attaching said back portion to said post; and means for attaching said front portion to said k-rail.
 2. A method as defined in claim 1 wherein a second buffer block is attached to said back side of said post and attached to a second k-rail, said second buffer block further comprising a peripheral frame, said peripheral frame having a modified block shape and further comprising a top portion that is substantially parallel to the road; a front portion that is substantially perpendicular to the road and which faces said second stream of traffic; a back portion that is substantially perpendicular to the road and that is positioned against said post; a bottom portion that is substantially parallel to the road; a middle portion that is substantially parallel to the road and when combined with said top portion, said front portion, said back portion and said bottom portion defines a first hollow chamber that sits atop a second hollow chamber, said chambers being separated by said middle portion; one or more abutting portions that extend beyond the plane of said front portion and into the direction of said second stream of traffic; means for attaching said back portion to said post; and means for attaching said front portion to said k-rail.
 3. A method as defined in claim 1 wherein said post is made of multiple compound rubber.
 4. A method as defined in claim 1 wherein said post is made of recycled tires.
 5. A method as defined in claim 1 wherein said post has a metal core.
 6. A method as defined in claim 1 wherein said post has relief areas carved out of said front side facing said first stream of traffic and corresponding relief areas carved out of said back side facing said second stream of traffic wherein said relief areas further comprising a bottom portion; and one or more sidewalls.
 7. A method as defined in claim 1 wherein said peripheral frame of said first buffer block is made of multiple compound rubber.
 8. A method as defined in claim 1 wherein said peripheral frame of said first buffer block is made of recycled tires.
 9. A method as defined in claim 2 wherein said peripheral frame of said second buffer block is made of multiple compound rubber.
 10. A method as defined in claim 2 wherein said peripheral frame of said second buffer block is made of recycled tires.
 11. A method as defined in claim 1 wherein said means for attaching said back portion of said first buffer block to said post is a bolt that fits through a hole in said back portion of said buffer block and is attached to said post.
 12. A method as defined in claim 2 wherein said means for attaching said back portion of said second buffer block to said post is a bolt that fits through a hole in said back portion of said second buffer block and is attached to said post.
 13. A method as defined in claim 2 wherein said means for attaching said back portion of said second buffer block to said post is a bolt that fits through a hole in said back portion of said second buffer block, is affixed through said post and then fits through a hole in said back portion of said first buffer block.
 14. A method as defined in claim 1 wherein said means for attaching said front portion to said k-rail is a second bolt that is positioned through a hole in said front portion of said first buffer block above said middle portion of said peripheral frame connecting said front portion of said first buffer block to said top hollow chamber and a third bolt that is positioned through a hole in said front of said first buffer block below said middle portion of said peripheral frame connecting said front portion of said first buffer block to said bottom hollow chamber.
 15. A method as defined in claim 2 wherein said means for attaching said front portion to said k-rail is a fourth bolt that is positioned through a hole in said front portion of said second buffer block above said middle portion of said peripheral frame connecting said front portion of said second buffer block to said top hollow chamber and a fifth bolt that is positioned through a hole in said front of said second buffer block below said middle portion of said peripheral frame connecting said front of said second buffer block to said bottom hollow chamber.
 16. A method as defined in claim 11 wherein said hole is reinforced by a steel sleeve.
 17. A method as defined in claim 12 wherein said hole is reinforced by a steel sleeve.
 18. A method as defined in claim 13 wherein said hole is reinforced by a steel sleeve.
 19. A method as defined in claim 14 wherein said hole is reinforced by a steel sleeve.
 20. A method as defined in claim 15 wherein said hole is reinforced by a steel sleeve. 